Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

All Outputs (76)

Nutrient scavenging-fueled growth in pancreatic cancer depends on caveolae-mediated endocytosis under nutrient-deprived conditions. (2024)
Journal Article
Wolfe, A. R., Cui, T., Baie, S., Corrales-Guerrero, S., Webb, A., Castro-Aceituno, V., …Lisanti, M. (2024). Nutrient scavenging-fueled growth in pancreatic cancer depends on caveolae-mediated endocytosis under nutrient-deprived conditions. Science Advances, 10(9), eadj3551. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adj3551

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by its nutrient-scavenging ability, crucial for tumor progression. Here, we investigated the roles of caveolae-mediated endocytosis (CME) in PDAC progression. Analysis of patient data across di... Read More about Nutrient scavenging-fueled growth in pancreatic cancer depends on caveolae-mediated endocytosis under nutrient-deprived conditions..

SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production (2022)
Journal Article
Mauro Lizcano, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2022). SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production. Aging, 14(24), 9877-9889. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204452

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for cancer recurrence, treatment failure and metastatic dissemination. As such, the elimination of CSCs represents one of the most important approaches for the future of cancer treatment. Among other propertie... Read More about SOX2-high cancer cells exhibit an aggressive phenotype, with increases in stemness, proliferation and invasion, as well as higher metabolic activity and ATP production.

Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation (2022)
Journal Article
Bonuccelli, G., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2022). Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation. Aging, 14(23), 9466-9483. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.204412

Here, we report the identification of key compounds that effectively inhibit the anchorage-independent growth and propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), as determined via screening using MCF7 cells, a human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. More spe... Read More about Identification of natural products and FDA-approved drugs for targeting cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation.

New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration. (2022)
Journal Article
Brindisi, M., Frattaruolo, L., Fiorillo, M., Dolce, V., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Cappello, A. (2022). New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration. FEBS Journal, https://doi.org/10.1111/febs.16651

Breast cancer remains the greatest cause of cancer-related death in women worldwide. Its aggressiveness and progression derive from intricate processes that occur simultaneously both within the tumour itself and in the neighbouring cells that make up... Read More about New insights into cholesterol-mediated ERRα activation in breast cancer progression and pro-tumoral microenvironment orchestration..

High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy (2021)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 740720. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.740720

Recently, we presented evidence that high mitochondrial ATP production is a new therapeutic target for cancer treatment. Using ATP as a biomarker, we isolated the “metabolically fittest” cancer cells from the total cell population. Importantly, ATP-h... Read More about High ATP production fuels cancer drug resistance and metastasis : implications for mitochondrial ATP depletion therapy.

SH3BGRL3 binds to myosin 1c in a calcium dependent manner and modulates migration in the MDA-MB-231 cell line (2021)
Journal Article
Di Pisa, F., Pesenti, E., Bono, M., Mazzarello, A., Bernardi, C., Lisanti, M., …Ghiotto, F. (2021). SH3BGRL3 binds to myosin 1c in a calcium dependent manner and modulates migration in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. BMC Molecular and Cell Biology, 22(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12860-021-00379-1

Background: The human SH3 domain Binding Glutamic acid Rich Like 3 (SH3BGRL3) gene is highly conserved in phylogeny and widely expressed in human tissues. However, its function is largely undetermined. The protein was found to be overexpressed in sev... Read More about SH3BGRL3 binds to myosin 1c in a calcium dependent manner and modulates migration in the MDA-MB-231 cell line.

MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo (2021)
Journal Article
Sargiacomo, C., Stonehouse, S., Moftakhar, Z., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo. Frontiers in Oncology, 11, 678343. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2021.678343

MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a relatively non-toxic, carbocyanine-based, far-red, fluorescent probe that is routinely used to chemically mark and visualize mitochondria in living cells. Previously, we used MTDR at low nano-molar concentrations to... Read More about MitoTracker Deep Red (MTDR) is a metabolic inhibitor for targeting mitochondria and eradicating cancer stem cells (CSCs), with anti-tumor and anti-metastatic activity in vivo.

Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase (2021)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Scatena, C., Naccarato, A., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2021). Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase. Cell Death and Differentiation, 28(9), 2797-2817. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-021-00788-x

Here, we provide evidence that high ATP production by the mitochondrial ATP-synthase is a new therapeutic target for anticancer therapy, especially for preventing tumor progression. More specifically, we isolated a subpopulation of ATP-high cancer ce... Read More about Bedaquiline, an FDA-approved drug, inhibits mitochondrial ATP production and metastasis in vivo, by targeting the gamma subunit (ATP5F1C) of the ATP synthase.

Anticancer Innovative Therapy Congress : highlights from the 10th anniversary edition (2021)
Journal Article
De Santis, F., Fucà, G., Schadendorf, D., Mantovani, A., Magnani, L., Lisanti, M., …Di Nicola, M. (2021). Anticancer Innovative Therapy Congress : highlights from the 10th anniversary edition. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 59, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cytogfr.2021.02.001

During the Tenth Edition of the Annual Congress on “Anticancer Innovative Therapy” [Milan, 23/24 January 2020], experts in the fields of immuno-oncology, epigenetics, tumor cell signaling, and cancer metabolism shared their latest knowledge on the ro... Read More about Anticancer Innovative Therapy Congress : highlights from the 10th anniversary edition.

New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes (2021)
Journal Article
Scatena, C., Fanelli, G., Fanelli, G., Menicagli, M., Aretini, P., Ortenzi, V., …Naccarato, A. (2021). New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes. Scientific reports, 11(1), 2755. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82405-y

Recent evidence suggests that a loss of expression of caveolin in the stromal compartment (sCav-1) of human invasive breast carcinoma (IBC) may be a predictor of disease recurrence, metastasis and poor outcome. At present, there is little knowledge r... Read More about New insights in the expression of stromal caveolin 1 in breast cancer spread to axillary lymph nodes.

Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity (2020)
Journal Article
Sánchez-Alvarez, R., De Francesco, E., Fiorillo, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 1776. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.01776

Elevated mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolism represent key features of breast cancer stem cells (CSCs), whose propagation is conducive to disease onset and progression. Therefore, interfering with mitochondria biology and function may be regarded... Read More about Mitochondrial Fission Factor (MFF) inhibits mitochondrial metabolism and reduces breast cancer stem cell (CSC) activity.

Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner (2020)
Journal Article
Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner. Aging, 12(19), 18797-18803. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.104166

Three recent papers published in Nature, Science and Cell, all present clear evidence that there is cross-reactive T-cell immunity between human coronaviruses (229E, NL63, OC43, and HKU1), linked with the common cold, and SARS-CoV-2, the causative ag... Read More about Using the common cold virus as a naturally occurring vaccine to prevent COVID-19 : lessons from Edward Jenner.

The membrane-associated form of cyclin D1 enhances cellular invasion (2020)
Journal Article
Chen, K., Jiao, X., Ashton, A., Di Rocco, A., Pestell, T., Sun, Y., …Pestell, R. (2020). The membrane-associated form of cyclin D1 enhances cellular invasion. Oncogenesis, 9, 83. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41389-020-00266-y

The essential G1-cyclin, CCND1, is a collaborative nuclear oncogene that is frequently overexpressed in cancer. D-type cyclins bind and activate CDK4 and CDK6 thereby contributing to G1–S cell-cycle progression. In addition to the nucleus, herein cyc... Read More about The membrane-associated form of cyclin D1 enhances cellular invasion.

A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity (2020)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Magalhaes, L., Latimer, J., Kangasmetsa, J., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity. Frontiers in Oncology, 10, 1528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fonc.2020.01528

Here, we describe the chemical synthesis and biological activity of a new Doxycycline derivative, designed specifically to more effectively target cancer stem cells (CSCs). In this analogue, a myristic acid (14 carbon) moiety is covalently attached t... Read More about A myristoyl amide derivative of doxycycline potently targets cancer stem cells (CSCs) and prevents metastasis, without retaining antibiotic activity.

Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway (2020)
Journal Article
Brindisi, M., Fiorillo, M., Frattaruolo, L., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Cappello, A. (2020). Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway. Cells, 9(8), e1819. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9081819

Breast cancer is the second greatest cause of cancer-related death in women. Resistance to endocrine treatments or chemotherapy is a limiting drawback. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the effects of cholesterol and mevalonate during tumor... Read More about Cholesterol and mevalonate : two metabolites involved in breast cancer progression and drug resistance through the ERRα pathway.

Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment (2020)
Journal Article
Dees, S., Pontiggia, L., Jasmin, J., Sotgia, F., Lisanti, M., & Mercier, I. (2020). Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment. Aging, 12(14), 15104-15120. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103586

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is one of the earliest stages of breast cancer (BCa). The mechanisms by which DCIS lesions progress to an invasive state while others remain indolent are yet to be fully characterized and both diagnosis and treatment o... Read More about Essential role of STAT5a in DCIS formation and invasion following estrogen treatment.

Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production (2020)
Journal Article
Fiorillo, M., Tóth, F., Brindisi, M., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production. Cells, 9(6), e1529. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells9061529

Deferiprone (DFP), also known as Ferriprox, is an FDA-approved, orally active, iron chelator that is currently used clinically for the treatment of iron-overload, especially in thalassaemia major. As iron is a critical factor in Fe-S cluster assembly... Read More about Deferiprone (DFP) targets cancer stem cell (CSC) propagation by inhibiting mitochondrial metabolism and inducing ROS production.

First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds (2020)
Journal Article
Ozsvari, B., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds. Aging, 12(11), 10162-10179. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103336

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been proposed to be responsible for tumor recurrence, distant metastasis and drug-resistance, in the vast majority of cancer patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new drugs that can target and eradicat... Read More about First-in-class candidate therapeutics that target mitochondria and effectively prevent cancer cell metastasis : mitoriboscins and TPP compounds.

COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection? (2020)
Journal Article
Sargiacomo, C., Sotgia, F., & Lisanti, M. (2020). COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?. Aging, 12(8), 6511-6517. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.103001

COVID-19, also known as SARS-CoV-2, is a new emerging zoonotic corona virus of the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) family. COVID-19 originated in China and spread world-wide, resulting in the p... Read More about COVID-19 and chronological aging : senolytics and other anti-aging drugs for the treatment or prevention of corona virus infection?.

Anticancer innovative therapy : highlights from the ninth annual meeting (2019)
Journal Article
Volpari, T., De Santis, F., Bracken, A., Pupa, S., Buschbeck, M., Wegner, A., …Di Nicola, M. (2020). Anticancer innovative therapy : highlights from the ninth annual meeting. Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews, 51, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cytogfr.2019.12.002

The Ninth Annual Conference of “Anticancer Innovative Therapy”, organized by Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori di Milano (Fondazione IRCCS INT) and hosted by Hotel Michelangelo, was held in Milan on 25 January 2019. Cutting-edge science... Read More about Anticancer innovative therapy : highlights from the ninth annual meeting.